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Roy Jones Jr. Promotions returns to Legends Casino on October 3rd with a six bout card packed with some of the Northwest’s best fighters.
The rematch that has been over two years in the making will happen when Andrew Murphy (13 0) faces Devontae McDonald (8-6) in an eight round super middleweight bout. When these two fought early in 2024, Murphy took the win and wore the belt. Since then, McDonald has been asking for the rematch, and matchmaker Chauncy Welliver made it happen. In the last fight Murphy took control of the fight early, catching McDonald with his jab and moving to stay out of McDonald’s reach. McDonald will likely look to get off to a quicker start in this fight, moving to avoid Murphy’s jab while throwing his right jab when Murphy gets close. McDonald will also need to throw more punches, like he did in the closing rounds of their last fight, to slow Murphy’s output and perhaps back him on to the ropes where McDonald landed scoring punches in the last fight. McDonald enters the fight coming off two losses to tough opponents while Murphy has strung together five knockout wins, none going past round two, so McDonald may gain an advantage if he takes Murphy in to the later rounds.
Cruiserweights Carlos Villanueva (8 3) and Billy Drywater (3 2) will go to battle in a six round bout. Villanueva scored a third round knockout in his last appearance, to cap a six win streak. Drywater comes in to the fight after dropping his last two, but one of those was a close five round decision. Both men have scored wins by way of the knockout, though the advantage there may land with Drywater whose three wins include two by knockout. This will be Villanueva’s second time fighting at six rounds, as it will be the first for Drywater who fought a five round bout in his last outing.
Jesus Velaquez (0 1) and Adam Smith (0 1) will be looking to grab their first win when they face each other in a four round middleweight bout. Both men were in tough fights in their pro debut, and having faced rough competition could bode well in this battle. Smith went the distance in his four round debut, Velaquez suffered a third round TKO loss in his debut. Smith is returning to the ring after a nearly seven year layoff, and that could give Velaquez an advantage if Smith is slow to adapt to Velaquez’s pressure.
Super lightweights Brandon Watley (1 6) and Abel Lucas (debut) will step in to fight in a bout scheduled for four rounds. Lucas brings some amateur experience to the ring and while that will certainly help, he will be facing one of the better six loss fighters in the PNW. Watley’s record is deceiving because his losses have come at the hands of some of the better fighters in the area. Lucas will have to contend with Watley’s pressure and that means Lucas will have to move out of Watley’s reach while finding opportunities to step in and deliver hard shots.
Featherweight Isaac Russell (1 0) will fight in a four round featherweight bout against an opponent yet to be named. Russell scored a thunderous first round knockout in his last appearance, and that means whoever signs the contract to face him will need to be aware of the power he carries.
Super lightweight Jonathan Magana (2 0) will bring his unbeaten record to the ring in a four round bout against Brandon Sly (0 1). Magana has dispensed of his previous opponents in the first round of each fight, and that means Sly will have to be aware that Magana is a fast starter. Sly's loss came in May when he was knocked out in the first round by knockout specialist Ho'okoa Gabriel. Both of these fighters come from the eastern part of Washingtons state, and that likely means each will bring a vocal contingent of supporters.
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